Alençon rectangular shawl

lace: 16.5" x 84.6" (42cm x 215cm)
photo: 5.875" x 8" (14.92cm x 15.87cm)
box: 14.5" x 11" (36.83cm x 27.94cm)
Very good condition. A 0.5" tear near on end, and a smaller tear at the left lower end. Altogether it is in remarkable condition.

An Alençon rectangular shawl of light design, probably late 19th, early 20th c. It is left-right symmetric around the central flower spray. Extensive areas of réseau fin. Thread appears to be linen.
The photograph and box described below are shown beneath the photo of the shawl.

From the seller: It came in a box from Madame Hayward, court dressmaker, addressed to the Countess of Crewe, Curzon Street, London with a 19th Century sepia photograph of a corner of the shawl. I surmise that the shawl may been sent to Madame Hayward to match or inspire an outfit that had been commissioned.

accession number 2021.1.082
purchased 09/19/2021
first posted 01/01/2022